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I hate Valentine's Day: A Once-a-Year Friends-to-Lovers Love Story
What if hating Valentine’s Day leads you straight to the love of your life?
Every February 14th, Lily has a
no pink hearts, no forced romance, no pretending she loves a holiday she secretly despises.
Instead, she hides in the darkest, emptiest movie theater in her small seaside town.
One Valentine’s Day, she’s not alone.
Tom—brooding, sharp-tongued, and just as done with the holiday as she is—takes the seat beside her. One bad movie and an endless stream of sarcastic comments later, they make a
Every year.
Same day.
Same theater.
No phone numbers. No social media. No contact in between.
Just them.
What starts as a joke turns into the one night Lily can’t stop thinking about the other 364 days of the year. As the years go by, their connection deepens—from shared laughter to lingering glances and feelings neither of them dares to name.
But life doesn’t care about their tradition.
College, distance, missed chances, and other relationships slowly pull them apart. When Lily’s past returns with its own claim on her heart, Tom has to keep waiting for the girl who only shows up once a year… or finally walk away.
Now, after five years of silence, one last Valentine’s Day will decide everything.
Was their anti-Valentine’s tradition just a way to hide from love—or the beginning of the only love story that ever truly mattered?
What’s
Slow burn (years in the making)Friends-to-lovers tensionOnce-a-year Valentine’s traditionSmall-town seaside vibesLove triangle and emotional growthSpicy, heartfelt scenesA satisfying, emotional payoff and a guaranteed HEATrigger explicit scenes, heartbreak, queer themes.
Every February 14th, Lily has a
no pink hearts, no forced romance, no pretending she loves a holiday she secretly despises.
Instead, she hides in the darkest, emptiest movie theater in her small seaside town.
One Valentine’s Day, she’s not alone.
Tom—brooding, sharp-tongued, and just as done with the holiday as she is—takes the seat beside her. One bad movie and an endless stream of sarcastic comments later, they make a
Every year.
Same day.
Same theater.
No phone numbers. No social media. No contact in between.
Just them.
What starts as a joke turns into the one night Lily can’t stop thinking about the other 364 days of the year. As the years go by, their connection deepens—from shared laughter to lingering glances and feelings neither of them dares to name.
But life doesn’t care about their tradition.
College, distance, missed chances, and other relationships slowly pull them apart. When Lily’s past returns with its own claim on her heart, Tom has to keep waiting for the girl who only shows up once a year… or finally walk away.
Now, after five years of silence, one last Valentine’s Day will decide everything.
Was their anti-Valentine’s tradition just a way to hide from love—or the beginning of the only love story that ever truly mattered?
What’s
Slow burn (years in the making)Friends-to-lovers tensionOnce-a-year Valentine’s traditionSmall-town seaside vibesLove triangle and emotional growthSpicy, heartfelt scenesA satisfying, emotional payoff and a guaranteed HEATrigger explicit scenes, heartbreak, queer themes.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 14, 2026
9 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
About the author
Elena Weiss
2 books2 followersHi, dear reader!
I’m so glad we’ve found each other.
I absolutely love love stories, and after reading so many of them, I realized it was time to start writing my own and sharing them with the world. There are many more stories ahead, and I can’t wait for you to read them.
What else am I supposed to say here? Oh, right)
In my free time, I love good food, a good book, and a good romantic movie.
I’m so glad we’ve found each other.
I absolutely love love stories, and after reading so many of them, I realized it was time to start writing my own and sharing them with the world. There are many more stories ahead, and I can’t wait for you to read them.
What else am I supposed to say here? Oh, right)
In my free time, I love good food, a good book, and a good romantic movie.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
February 14, 2026
This was not just an anti love story turned into love story. This was a coming of age story. This was story of Lily learning her worth and how to beloved properly.
It was a joy following this unconventional, friends to lovers story.
Tom was one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read in a while, he was truly down bad for her and the yearning was on point.
There is a third act conflict (like in any romance novel of course) that drove me bananas, but the resolution was very satisfying! But getting there, oh the drama! I could see this being a Netflix show, it had enough drama in that third act for it 🤣
If you’re looking for a binge in one sitting slow burn, seaside vibes romance, this will have you covered!
The concept of this story and the writing and execution all were great for me. This is the perfect romance to put you through all the emotions.
It was a joy following this unconventional, friends to lovers story.
Tom was one of my favorite MMCs I’ve read in a while, he was truly down bad for her and the yearning was on point.
There is a third act conflict (like in any romance novel of course) that drove me bananas, but the resolution was very satisfying! But getting there, oh the drama! I could see this being a Netflix show, it had enough drama in that third act for it 🤣
If you’re looking for a binge in one sitting slow burn, seaside vibes romance, this will have you covered!
The concept of this story and the writing and execution all were great for me. This is the perfect romance to put you through all the emotions.
February 7, 2026
I picked up this book on a whim because of a book club challenge he. I am so glad I did!!
I loved the premise of this book so much! It was not at all predictable but a rollercoaster ride of the best kind.
Three of my favorite quotes:
1st "this day makes people play roles. Some act like the perfect couple. Some act like they do t care.some suffer quietly. And some act like it's normal.
2nd "I'm not letting a paper heart decide my value"
3rd "so you do t hate love he said quietly, you hate when it's sold."
I whole heartedly recommend if you are looking for something different or if you have lost the magic of what a difference a day can make.
I loved the premise of this book so much! It was not at all predictable but a rollercoaster ride of the best kind.
Three of my favorite quotes:
1st "this day makes people play roles. Some act like the perfect couple. Some act like they do t care.some suffer quietly. And some act like it's normal.
2nd "I'm not letting a paper heart decide my value"
3rd "so you do t hate love he said quietly, you hate when it's sold."
I whole heartedly recommend if you are looking for something different or if you have lost the magic of what a difference a day can make.
February 15, 2026
A stupid cute friends to lovers story
I havnt read many friends to lovers books yet but this one is definitely a keeper ❤️ The story is so cute and I cant believe they were able to hold there tradition as long as they did. There was nothing about this book I didnt like.
Quick read, definitely a page turner that keeps you wanting more.
Lily and Tom's unintentional love for each other I thought was so beautifully done. I definitely fell in love with both characters even with their nieve sides.
I havnt read many friends to lovers books yet but this one is definitely a keeper ❤️ The story is so cute and I cant believe they were able to hold there tradition as long as they did. There was nothing about this book I didnt like.
Quick read, definitely a page turner that keeps you wanting more.
Lily and Tom's unintentional love for each other I thought was so beautifully done. I definitely fell in love with both characters even with their nieve sides.
February 3, 2026
Warm, witty, and quietly romantic. The friends-to-lovers journey felt natural and deeply satisfying, with just the right emotional depth. A perfect read for anyone who claims to hate Valentine’s Day—this story might change your mind.
February 4, 2026
I loved this book so much. I loved Tom and Lilys chemistry. I love the anticipation of seeing what would happen every year. I was so in to it I was yelling at my kindle in hopes that they would get together! This was an awesome February read.
February 16, 2026
This story was so cute I can’t believe they were able to hold up their tradition as long as they did. They wouldn’t text,call or see each other until Valentine’s Day. Tom and Lily started a tradition to meet at the movie theater where their relationship develops. I loved watching them grow emotionally and finally admit their feelings to one another.
February 8, 2026
ARC Review — I Hate Valentine’s Day by Elena Weiss
This was a fun, emotional, and surprisingly relatable read that balances humor, heart, and just the right amount of romance. It captures that anti-Valentine mood perfectly — the cynicism, the vulnerability underneath, and the slow shift from “I hate love” to something a little softer.
What worked for me most was the emotional honesty. The main character’s resistance to romance felt real, not forced, and the story lets the feelings build naturally instead of rushing everything. It has sweet moments, a bit of ache, and that comforting sense of growth that makes you root for the characters.
It’s not overly dramatic or heavy, but it still delivers emotion, charm, and a satisfying romantic arc. A great pick if you want something heartfelt with a touch of humor and warmth.
Read this if you like: anti-Valentine vibes, emotional romance, soft character growth, relatable feelings, and heartfelt love stories.
This was a fun, emotional, and surprisingly relatable read that balances humor, heart, and just the right amount of romance. It captures that anti-Valentine mood perfectly — the cynicism, the vulnerability underneath, and the slow shift from “I hate love” to something a little softer.
What worked for me most was the emotional honesty. The main character’s resistance to romance felt real, not forced, and the story lets the feelings build naturally instead of rushing everything. It has sweet moments, a bit of ache, and that comforting sense of growth that makes you root for the characters.
It’s not overly dramatic or heavy, but it still delivers emotion, charm, and a satisfying romantic arc. A great pick if you want something heartfelt with a touch of humor and warmth.
Read this if you like: anti-Valentine vibes, emotional romance, soft character growth, relatable feelings, and heartfelt love stories.
January 25, 2026
I loved the plot. On the surface, it might seem predictable—an annual reunion where the characters realize they’re in love—but I won’t spoil anything. The author managed to keep me interested all the way to the end. And honestly, the finale delivered a twist I didn’t see coming.
The heroine is bisexual, and I didn’t catch that in the blurb, so that was a small surprise for me as well. Overall: a very easy, breezy writing style; the characters feel real; and it’s written in a very cinematic way. There isn’t a ton of spice, but it’s definitely there. I recommend it to anyone who loves the friends-to-lovers and second-chance tropes, plus the “same place, every year” vibe.
The heroine is bisexual, and I didn’t catch that in the blurb, so that was a small surprise for me as well. Overall: a very easy, breezy writing style; the characters feel real; and it’s written in a very cinematic way. There isn’t a ton of spice, but it’s definitely there. I recommend it to anyone who loves the friends-to-lovers and second-chance tropes, plus the “same place, every year” vibe.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews